You're scrolling through instagram and see this super cute "neon" sign that would look AMAZING above your couch and immediately buy it. Or, maybe you notice something and visit the website to see it looks different than most neon signs you've seen. Perhaps you're sold by the price and just go ahead and buy it at this point. Or maybe you're one that does a bit more research on the company's "about" section. You learn that their product is what they call "New Neon™ " or "LED Neon".

They go on to explain that their product is a neon alternative, a safer more eco-friendly version of neon - it's "70% - 80% MORE efficient!" They inform you that neon contains harmful gases. This information, plus the price sounds like a win-win, doesn't it? The only problem is that this information is, at best, exaggerated. Mostly, it's untrue.

This is a continuation of my discussion on neon in our world today. Neon tubes have been a part of our world for 108 years. I began my neon journey just before its 100th year. I decided I wanted to discuss the strange changes our industry/artform has gone through since I've been able to witness. The information I have to share is gathered from many conversations with benders that have decades of experience on me. Collectively, these benders have hundreds of years of sign industry experience, including vast knowledge of LED's. Most relevant is their witness to the introduction of LED's and the near devastating affect it had on neon.

In my first post, I discussed the ongoing issues of copyright infringement neon artists and artists working in neon experience. As well, I briefly touched on the topic of the fast growing number of middle-man businesses that supply custom neon (hire a bender to make it for them) to consumers to take advantage of the trend. Some of these companies will offer a real neon sign. Another brand of these businesses is the neon alternative, or "LED NEON".

How you can tell it's LED and not glass - the cursive feels stiff, the ends are very blunt and color fades in that area, there's nothing connecting the words, it needs a bulky plastic backing (in other words, you cannot install directly to the wall).

Let's get one thing out of the way. Neon is a gas and a neon sign is made of glass. LED is LED. You may be thinking, "duh". Well, it may surprise you that there are some people who don't know the difference. Using the word "neon" in their product name obviously helps to sell the product because really, people are looking for neon.

There are a variety of methods that different companies use to create their product. Some of them probably have patents on their particular method or material. Some are DIY, making their signs from a product called Flex. Some outsource manufacturing overseas. What these companies have in common is that they promote their product as being superior in its carbon footprint and its safety as compared to neon, the same way they did the first time around. What's different this time is that there are studies that say they are wrong.

Many of these companies include "about" sections on their website. They describe their love of neon and the discovery of a gap in the market for a more eco-friendly alternative. First of all, there's hardly a gap. Neon alternatives have been around for a while, as I mentioned before. These new renditions are different in the sense that they depart from the sign market and into the designer market. Secondly, the debate about how much more efficient LED is than neon and how consistent that is across all applications, is still an enormously debated topic. These new boutique online companies tell you in their descriptions that they are 70%-80% more efficient than neon. Hmmmmmm?

Let's look at this. Yes, LED is more efficient than incandescent bulbs. However, the facts are that when LED's are tested to neon, LED'S are either less efficient or the same. Any neon sign uses what we call a "transformer" to light it. The most amperage these power sources draw is 3.7amps for some of the largest transformers. The amperage used to power the neon is under 1 amp. That's pretty dang efficient.

I've never heard anyone talking about breaking the bank powering their neon sign for a small business or home. In fact UL Laboratory, the most well known and respected safety testing lab in the United States, has established its own equivalent rating system named "UL Energy Verified Program". After much testing, UL has awarded NEON it's "Green Energy Verified".

Here is a comparison between Neon and LED from an unbiased source. This comparison takes efficiency, longevity, maintenance and brightness into account and gives a star rating to each. It's definitely worth a read if considering between the two for your business or home. The consistency of this efficiency depends highly on the application. It's such a small amount of difference in efficiency in most cases, especially in the case of these small little signs.

One company even says, "To put it in better perspective, glass neon uses 15,000 volts while LED lights use only 24 volts." This information is so misinformed. Yes, while some of the super large neon installations require 15,000 volts to light the neon, they still only draw 3.7amps from the wall. The size of the product they are selling is equivalent to a neon powered by a 8kv -10kv transformer, drawing up to 1.2amps from the wall. Again, very efficient.

The other claim businesses make is that neon isn't safe, even hazardous. What's more, they prove their lack of knowledge by saying the gases are harmful. All gases used in the production of neon are the noble, inert gases. They are in the atmosphere already, we breathe them. They are non-reactive, non-toxic, and perfectly safe. Yes, some neon contains small amounts of mercury which is smaller than the size of a pea. When you compare the amount of carcinogenic toxins in LED, I'd say LED is more harmful than neon.

Here is a link to an online scientific publication that give you the run down on the numerous toxins in LEDs. They found that low-intensity red lights contained up to eight times the amount of lead allowed under California law, but in general, high-intensity, brighter bulbs had more contaminants than lower ones. White bulbs had the least lead, but contained high amounts of nickel.

I get it, not everyone has the money to spend on a neon sign from an artist or bender. Wait, but scrolling through these prices I'm seeing that the cost comparison for some of the products I saw aren't THAT drastic, especially for something that will last longer and can be maintained. Yes, you can get a super small work for maybe $50 dollars but wouldn't you want to spend more on something that will last longer and can be maintained? Some of these products are up to $400. You can definitely get a small neon for $400 from some benders.

If you're just looking for a kitsch thing for your home that you don't intend to take along on the rest of your life's journey, then spend $50 on a cheap product and when it dies or you move just throw it away, right? It's eco-friendly? Well, it's not classified as toxic and are deposited in regular landfills, but with all of these toxins they should absolutely be considered hazardous waste according to scientists. Plus - plastic, plastic, plastic.

I'll make one last small argument here. If you are the type of person that likes to support local businesses, you should consider supporting a local bender. Some of these companies manufacture their product overseas. If you see a real neon sign from a lifestyle brand selling for $80, chances are they aren't covering manufacturing costs in America at that price point.

Listen, I'm not trying to dissuade people from buying these products. What I am doing is encouraging people to not believe everything they read. I would also like to urge these business that are inspired by neon to do more research into the claims they make. I'm sure they would have no problem selling their product without making the erroneous comparisons. At the end of the day, the comparisons across all characteristics are so minor. There is so much back and forth about this topic. Neon is just as good as LED and certainly not less efficient, eco-friendly or safe.

In many ways, I am very happy that the look of neon has been so desirable for so many people. Yes, it's good for my industry that there is desire and popularity there. What's not good for the industry is when companies offer misinformation about the way neon works to try and sell their product. As I've mentioned, LED alternatives nearly devastated the neon industry before I began my journey and most of it was due to these "better than" arguments. This set back is still palpable today.

Many people don't know much about neon so it's easy for the claims to be made without anyone questioning it. It is your choice which product you go with. I think consumers have a right to know all sides of the argument because ultimately, I would hope that you'd want your choice to be a well informed one. As well, we should be mindful of the products and artifacts we produce on this Earth in our lifetime and strive for truth and authenticity, always.

It's obvious that neon art has gained a newfound popularity with the help of social media (Instagram mostly) and mood board sites like Pinterest. Mass image sharing online makes it easy for images of some of our favorite pieces of neon art to loose the attached credit of the artist and makers. As I scroll through Instagram and Pinterest, I see thousands of neon art profiles and collections populated with some very familiar works and some new. The sad thing, however, is that the artists and makers of these works are rarely credited.

You may be thinking, "So what? People are sharing and liking and that's good for you. Why should I care?" Yes, the sheer excitement from people about neon and the sharing of works online certainly helps to foster a demand of our trade, but there are palpable downsides to this popularity. The downsides have become a topic of conversation among the industry and a feeling shared by benders around the world.

Many would agree that the beginnings of neon are rooted in a commercial context. Neon signs are generally made for on-site business advertising however, we have since moved into a space where neon is much more than that. It has become a creative expression for artists since as early as the 1950's, well before Tracey Emin's whimsical handwritten emotions. Bruce Nauman has become a household name, creating neon art as a way of commenting on the commerciality of neon, taking it out of that context and using that attention grabbing medium to "advertise" artistic ideals and concepts. Much of neon art still rides this conceptual train.

Now that we have the internet, neon art is even more accessible, it's everywhere. It has not only influenced hashtags and mood boards, but encouraged people to start businesses in custom neon creation without having any fires for bending neon in their place of business. How do they "create" custom neon? These businesses hire small neon shops to create their custom works for you, placing large mark-ups on the product to make a profit. They take customers and a price point away from the benders who actually make it. They literally have no purpose.

How does this affect you, the buyer of a custom neon? In other words, why should you care about these benders and their profession? It affects you in a number of ways if you want a piece of neon for your home or business. The first is that you are paying more due to a mark-up that has nothing to do with the actual fabrication of the product. The second reason is that neon will eventually need maintenance and with that comes troubleshooting required by a professional. When you aren't in contact with the actual bender who made the work, but rather a company who hires the pro's to turn a profit, you don't have a simple way of repairing your piece of custom art. You need to go through your only contact, the company who doesn't really know anything.

Neon Art: Jung Lee

The most important issue is that of copyright infringement. Artists working in neon and exhibiting neon works in galleries and museums frequently have their works ripped off, unfortunately. The works of neon art are those that have the most popularity on social media, making the biggest rounds across the platforms. People love it, they share, they tag......and then some people take a screenshot and send it to a bender to have it recreated. Ooops!

Let me ask you a question - If you saw a painting you really loved, would you turn to another painter in your area, show them a picture of the painting and have them recreate the painting you want? Why does neon have such a gray area for some? I think the issue lies in the medium; many people see it as "just a sign", so the green light is there for their recreation. Aside from the moral issues surrounding this, it's a matter of copyright. Many artists have copyrights on their work (neon or not) and if you or your business copy their work then you are infringing, according to the law.

I want to offer a couple of real life examples and open the floor for a dialogue surrounding this issue. These things have an affect on our careers and the authenticity of the artwork. If you are an individual, business or designer who loves neon - please take a moment to really think about this. It isn't a matter of "nothing is original anymore". If this were the case, copyright attorney's wouldn't have jobs and copyright lawsuits wouldn't happen. And it can't be brushed aside with the, "Imitation is flattery" argument. Flattery is an article written about the work or a sale on the work. Imitation is imitation and many times it's infringement. Additionally, it affects the value of the original work, thereby screwing over the artist and any collector who bought the original.

Kelly Mark original

The most high profile example of neon art infringement is in the case of artist Kelly Marks. Many may recognize this witty neon piece (left) made in 2006. It has surely made the rounds online in the last 10+ years, but sadly most don't know the artist attributed to the work due to posts and reposts and reposts etc. Perhaps because of this ambiguous representation of the piece, a bar in Toronto felt they could have the work recreated, down to the line breaks and the color, not by the artist but by a local shop. The artist sued. It was quite controversial.

The copy

As it turned out, Marks discovered that they also copied a Bruce Nauman. Nauman was informed and also planned to file allegations against the bar. “Sometimes being copied is the highest form of flattery,” he said, “but only if you get credit. When someone has been brazen enough to take credit for your work in support of his brand and personal identity, that’s a whole other matter.” [ thestar.com] Check out the article in the links section below this post to read more on this case.

Bruce Nauman original

Olivia Steel original piece on display at Museum of Neon Art

Olivia Steel rip off

Olivia Steele is another artist whose work is repeatedly copied. This artist uses her own handwriting in her work, making it very difficult for infringers to say they "had no idea". Here is a recent example of her work being copied by a middle man "custom neon" company for a restaurant in LA called the Mamón Restaurant Group. The restaurant clearly took a picture to this business, who then turned around and had a bender recreate the work. Not only does this harm the artist whose work was recreated without permission, but it puts the bender and their small business in a precarious situation for playing a role in the infringement, whether they knew it or not.

My neon palm trees for Art Basel 2013 (copyright)

I'd like to encourage businesses, brands, designers and collectors to be more diligent in their vetting of the work in question. If you can't say for sure, chances are you don't know enough about the work or who made it. We aren't talking about open signs, your businesses logo - we are talking about poetic neons, unique works not made for commercial reasons. It should be pretty obvious if the work in question is installed at Burning Man, a gallery wall or an art fair, for example. "Inspired by" doesn't mean "copy it". I myself have been asked many times to recreate work by others.

Nicki Minaj rip off 2014(made in China obviously)

My main intention here is 1. To protect artists' work 2. Educate people about neon as a trade and an art form. 3. To encourage people to care about how things are made and by whom.

I have devoted 10 years of my life to neon and will continue to devote decades more. As someone comparably younger than my colleagues, I feel it is my duty as a bender to do everything I can to prolong the life of the industry and to give it the respect it deserves. You don't have to care about neon the way I do, but we should all strive for integrity and authenticity in our everyday lives and in the artifacts that surround us.